Richardson issued a statement Sunday saying he’s dedicated to staying: “It has always been my desire that the Carolinas would be home of our Panthers. Nothing has changed. As someone who was born in North Carolina and lived much of my life in South Carolina, I hope that there would be no doubts about my personal devotion to the Carolinas.”

This is a telegraphed pass. The way for teams to fire a shot over the bow of their home cities is to bring up L.A. – or have it brought up for them. It’s no accident that in his statement Richardson doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of leaving. He leaves that door unlocked, by simply saying that it’s his desire to stay.
It’s not a coincidence that the Panthers are about to unfurl plans for a stadium renovation, and politicians in North Carolina have indicated that they’d be willing to help pay for them. What better way to firm up those commitments than to raise the possibility of a relocation to L.A.? That worked for Indianapolis, Seattle, New Orleans and others.
On top of that, Richardson is close friends with Patrick Soon-Shiong, the L.A. billionaire who is interested in buying AEG and being an owner of an NFL team playing in a downtown stadium. He has been Richardson’s guest at at least one Panthers game this season.
So it’s not inconceivable for Soon-Shiong, who needs Richardson to pave the way for him with the NFL, to do the Panthers owner a solid by nudging an L.A. politician to gin up interest in Carolina’s team, even if there are other franchises far more likely to relocate.

Exactly. I see people complaining about property tax or hotel. This is a 1% increase on food and bev. which will bring in ~$25M a year. I love consumption tax for this sort of thing.

However my question is , what happens when the renovations are done? Governments are good about raising tax but I doubt there will be a motion to remove it later.

I use to live in FL and many years ago my county added a 1% sales tax for roads and infrastructure projects. When said projects were completed the citizens were given the opportunity to vote to keep it for a new set of projects or let it expire. They voted to keep it.

Not sure how it will work in Charlotte this always seemed like the right way to go.

I use to live in FL and many years ago my county added a 1% sales tax for roads and infrastructure projects. When said projects were completed the citizens were given the opportunity to vote to keep it for a new set of projects or let it expire. They voted to keep it.

Not sure how it will work in Charlotte this always seemed like the right way to go.

I hear about this with toll roads a lot. Supposed to be temp. Not sure what the plan is for the I-77 widening/toll project.

Richardson issued a statement Sunday saying he’s dedicated to staying: “It has always been my desire that the Carolinas would be home of our Panthers. Nothing has changed. As someone who was born in North Carolina and lived much of my life in South Carolina, I hope that there would be no doubts about my personal devotion to the Carolinas.”

This is a telegraphed pass. The way for teams to fire a shot over the bow of their home cities is to bring up L.A. – or have it brought up for them. It’s no accident that in his statement Richardson doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of leaving. He leaves that door unlocked, by simply saying that it’s his desire to stay.It’s not a coincidence that the Panthers are about to unfurl plans for a stadium renovation, and politicians in North Carolina have indicated that they’d be willing to help pay for them. What better way to firm up those commitments than to raise the possibility of a relocation to L.A.? That worked for Indianapolis, Seattle, New Orleans and others.On top of that, Richardson is close friends with Patrick Soon-Shiong, the L.A. billionaire who is interested in buying AEG and being an owner of an NFL team playing in a downtown stadium. He has been Richardson’s guest at at least one Panthers game this season.So it’s not inconceivable for Soon-Shiong, who needs Richardson to pave the way for him with the NFL, to do the Panthers owner a solid by nudging an L.A. politician to gin up interest in Carolina’s team, even if there are other franchises far more likely to relocate.

Well thought out but disagree. I think JR is just being honest. He wants to keep the team in Charlotte but the next owner can make more money in LA especially if the stadium isn't up to standard and could move the team there. JR could pay 125mill out of his own pockets if he wanted. But the city of Charlotte needs to be tied fiscally to the team if they're going to stay long term when JR departs his mortal coil. This deal is more like a minority ownership deal for the city then just about stadium upgrades.

If you think there will be some sort of clause that binds the team to Charlotte, you're on crack.

Yes...the politicians will make it look that way but, deep in the contract, there will be an out.

JR arrives to speak with the council in secret, has a secret meeting, then tries to leave in secret. He wants free money and he's bullying the city council into handing it over. He could borrow the money tomorrow from a bank and retain total independence but why? The city is happy to provide a $125 handout with no strings attached.

He will take the free money and remain just as independent. The politicians don't care. They just want to look good before the next election and make sure their cronies get what they were promised. It's legalized thievery.

If you think there will be some sort of clause that binds the team to Charlotte, you're on crack.

Yes...the politicians will make it look that way but, deep in the contract, there will be an out.

JR arrives to speak with the council in secret, has a secret meeting, then tries to leave in secret. He wants free money and he's bullying the city council into handing it over. He could borrow the money tomorrow from a bank and retain total independence but why? The city is happy to provide a $125 handout with no strings attached.

He will take the free money and remain just as independent. The politicians don't care. They just want to look good before the next election and make sure their cronies get what they were promised. It's legalized thievery.

This is why I say it wont be til he leaves the earth that people will point out the "bishop's" flaws and just how horrible an owner he's been for us. Shinn 2.0, just smart enough not to get caught up with the help. I doubt we ever string together 2 good seasons together with him in charge. His hunger for money has always superceded winning. Is he taking it with him?